Gunga Dan's Long Goodbye (Reuters)
From JFK's assassination to Tiananmen Square and the Asian tsunami, Dan Rather reported on the major events of the last 40 years, but his retirement this week as CBS anchor has been marred by a journalistic scandal. Salon: Bloggers are claiming their first scalp. But the old media isn't dead yet—and the new media can never replace it, writes Joan Walsh. Guardian: CBS "voice of God" goes with a whimper. NYO: The question of just what brought Mr. Rather low still remains open—even apparently to him—writes Joe Hagan. WaPo: Rather, who's had many trials and certainly seems a soul to fullness grown, is told it's a shame he couldn't be leaving on a high note, writes Tom Shales. WaPo: The sayings of Dan Rather. CSM: Rather was a pioneer and a lightning rod. Seattle Times: Rather is a veteran of TV's ups and downs, writes Kay McFadden.

Newsweek Changes Cover Crediting Policy (Photo District News)
Jay DeFoore: Beginning with the March 14 issue, bylines for cover photos and illustrations will now appear directly on the cover of the magazine, marking a shift from the industry practice of crediting cover photos on the table of contents page.

Us Weekly/OK! Fight Heats Up (NYDN)
Wenner Media, which had won a restraining order barring Nicola McCarthy from leaving Us Weekly to edit OK!, moved on its bid for a preliminary court injunction.

Media Giants Fight Canada Ruling (Globe and Mail)
More than 50 of the world's largest media organizations have banded together to overturn an Ontario court ruling that they say threatens free speech and development of the Internet.

Rutgers Lets J-Students Investigate School (Newark Star-Ledger)
John Pavlik, chairman of the university's journalism department, said Tuesday that he was reversing his earlier decision that restricted reporting in the class to off-campus topics.

Subject's Objection Derails Reporter's Book (WaPo)
Howard Kurtz: Former LAT and Dow Jones reporter Jason Leopold, is "devastated" that his book Off the Record, which criticizes journalists as lazy, has been canceled by its publisher.

State of the Times (NYO)
Tom Scocca: In Arthur Sulzberger Jr.'s State of The New York Times presentation, the publisher delivered a cheerful (if not sunshiny) account of the company's condition.

Contender Ratings 'Modest but Manly' (NYDN)
The boxing reality series didn't score a knockout Monday night, but the much-hyped NBC reality series isn't on the ropes, either.

Leno Mum on Jacko? (NYT)
Jay Leno has chosen to make light of his situation as a potential witness in Michael Jackson's trial by handing off related jokes in his monologue to other comedians.

Cartoon Tribute to HST 'Mind-Blowing' (WaPo)
After the literally explosive Doonesbury strip ran yesterday, neither the cartoonist, his syndicator, nor the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors reported any blowback.

Calling on the Journalist in Maria Shriver (LAT)
Patt Morrisson: The California governor's office has put together covert propaganda posing as "journalism," and pushing the bounds of integrity. The former NBC correspondent needs to home-school her husband in Journalism 101.

Brit Invasion at Enquirer? (NYP)
With only weeks remaining before the National Enquirer is expected to relocate to New York City from Boca Raton, Fla., new editor-in-chief Paul Field has sent an urgent chain email to London seeking help from his fellow countrymen.

'Fuel' Empty (Slate)
Christopher Hitchens: Journalists overuse the word "fuel" as a verb. Almost anything can be "fueled" by anything else, in a passive voice that bestows energy and power on anything you like, without any concomitant responsibility or attribution.

He's a Believer (Salon)
Dave Eggers talks about production by procrastination, how understanding book-selling can empower a writer, and what it's like to be the head of a publishing empire that everyone has an opinion about.

Trial by Fury (TNR)
Jason Zengerle: From her anchor's perch on the Court TV show Closing Arguments and her guest's chair on CNN's Larry King Live, Nancy Grace vehemently and repeatedly pointed an accusatory finger at Scott Peterson.

The Week Awards Opinion Prizes (E&P)
Jesse Oxfeld: Peter Beinert of The New Republic took columnist of the year honors, while Tom Toles of The Washington Post took home the editorial cartoonist prize.

Plame Case Prosecutor Only Doing His Job? (WaPo)
Randall Eliason: Because in this case the leak itself is the alleged crime, it's hard to imagine how such a case could be investigated by prosecutors without talking to the reporters.

Thug Radio (VV)
Jarrett Murphy: While not excusing the triggermen in recent rap star shooting cases, some hip-hop heavyweights say the corporate ownership deserves blame for hyping hip-hop beefs, some of which turn bloody, and all of which undercut the true power of the music.

—David S. Hirschman